Following in family footsteps: Landon Rehkow’s path to USU and beyond

Two years ago, Landon Rehkow was cut as a punter at Brigham Young University. He was playing alongside his brother, Ryan Rehkow, until Ryan was brought up to punt for the Cincinnati Bengals after the 2023 season. Their oldest brother, Austin Rehkow, signed with NFL teams such as the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, according to the Indianapolis Colts website.  

Landon was inspired by his older brothers. When asked about why he wanted to enter the gridiron and punt, he mentioned his brothers.  

“In high school, [Austin] was the first one to really play football in our family, other than my dad, but he kind of set the way,” Landon said. “I got to see firsthand how football can change somebody’s life. He set the example for the rest of us, and all of us have since, other than my youngest brother, been able to play collegiate football and have great careers, so it’s been great.” 

Landon played his first year of collegiate football at BYU where his brother Ryan was already punting.  

“It was a lot of fun. My first year was with him, and so I got to see just what hard work looks like, and really what it took to be at this level, especially going to the next level,” Landon said. “Just having an example is really the biggest thing that I got from that. Other than that, it’s super fun. Just all in all, we just got to hang out for a whole season and play a lot of ping-pong.” 

After being cut from BYU, Landon took a visit to Utah State University where he said he felt very welcome.  

“I mean, I got cut. That kind of puts it into perspective,” Landon said. “I think the main reason I came to USU was I took a visit here, and I got to meet some of the coaches — especially coach Mendenhall — and the biggest thing for me was wanting to be wanted, and I felt that here, and so that’s why I came over.” 

It’s not just the team that makes him feel welcome. According to USU special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Shane Hunter, Landon fits right into the team, often staying after practice to work and build relationships with his teammates.  

“Practice is well over, and he’s sitting there still kicking around, messing around with the guys and having a good time,” Hunter said. “The guys appreciate him for one, what he’s doing on the field, but also how he’s doing it.” 

Now in his second year at USU, Landon has started to make big plays for the team, especially when punting from the opposing 45-yard line, according to Hunter. 

“Coming off of last year, what we call our sky punts, we weren’t great at them. That was the area that we challenged him to get better at in the off-season. He worked on it, and you see the success that he’s had,” Hunter said. “I think this year, in terms of hit and plant situations, and that’s what we consider like 45 in the opposite 45. I think he’s seven of eight, like putting them where we can get them. The only one was the Utah one. He just kicked it a little low, but we still had a chance, and so he took the challenge. He was like, ‘I’m going to get better at it.’ It’s helping our team a lot.” 

Off the field, Landon has other priorities that take up his time and attention. Along with being close to graduating with a major in management, Rehkow and his wife have recently welcomed a little girl into the world.  

“It just gives me more to play for. I’m not playing just for myself anymore, or even just for me and my wife,” Landon said. “There’s a third person I have to take care of, and so yeah, I think that’s just a greater perspective on life itself. Got to work hard for what you got.” 

Landon acknowledged the role of his wife in getting him to where he is today. Along with his brothers, he mentioned his wife as a major role model.  

“I’ve got a lot of great role models in my life, and especially my wife. She’s the epitome of hard work. I just try to do my best to do my part,” Landon said.  

Looking forward, Landon is working hard to follow in his brothers’ footsteps into the NFL. When asked about moving to the next level, he said it was all about mindset.  

“If you want to do something, you got belief, and once you believe, then you put forth the effort,” Landon said. “Who doesn’t want to play at the next level? I think that’s something that I want to do.” 

Hunter was encouraging, but firm about what it takes to get to the professional level.  

“I always tell this: it’s up to him,” Hunter said. “I mean, he’s had two older brothers, and both of them are obviously really good, and so that’s why with kickoffs, I tell him the more you can do, the more you can do. It makes you more marketable. It gives yourself a better chance. Whether it’s punting, kicking, whatever, and if that’s your goal, then you got to do everything you can to get there.”